The Wartime Nanny by Lizzie Page – Books On Tour (Review)

As I have mentioned before, many historical fiction novels set in and around WWII usually focus on the war itself, or occupied territories. This one is unique because it is actually set in England in the years leading up to Hitler’s rise.

It starts with an elderly Natalie asking her daughter to find a person for her, and we get an inkling that this person is very important to her past. From there, we are taken back to 1936, when Natalie arrives in England (from Austria) as a nanny (hence the title).

The rest of the story is told entirely in the past, as the reader gets to experience a new country and new customs through Natalie’s 16-year-old eyes. Of course, the timeframe needs to be taken into account here.

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I liked how Natalie tried to fit in with the other servants in the Caplin household and how they eventually came to understand each other. I also thought Natalie’s discomfort in new situations, partnered with her efforts felt realistic.

I did feel like the Caplin family was sort of a collective enigma. At first, I thought it might have been purposeful, with a possible respelling of their name. It wasn’t until later in the book that it became apparent Caroline and her husband were just at opposite purposes. I don’t mind saying that Caro was one of the more easily despisable characters I have come across.

As news comes from home, Natalie realizes that she needs to get her sister and mother out of Vienna. The scenes at the refugee offices were especially interesting, because that is not an aspect that is often addressed, especially the anti-Semitism in western countries. It is often subtle here, mainly because 16 is still a naïve age, but also apparent in cutting remarks and actions of certain characters.

I thought there were a few weak plot points, with Natalie’s love life being one of them. I understand that this was just as much a “coming of age” story as it was a historical novel, but some of her interactions just didn’t ring true to me. They weren’t bad or anything, they just didn’t seem to fit.

It also seemed as if the ending was all wrapped up rather quickly, given the three-year span that was the focus. One of Natalie’s driving forces became trying to help her mom and sister, but that was all addressed quickly with mostly some commentary. I wish it had been a bit more balanced. And the very end seemed a little neat, given the messiness of the rest of the relationships.

For me, it didn’t quite reach the level of success of The Forgotten Girls. Overall, however, it was an interesting book for its unique perspective and focus, which this author does excel at, and for that reason alone, I would definitely recommend this book.

Author Bio:

Lizzie loves reading ALL the books and has always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to her to write historical fiction.

She lives with her family by the sea in South East England. And with her dog. She enjoys traveling and lived in Japan for several years. Lizzie has had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling – but being a writer is her absolute favourite.

She’d love to hear what you think of her books – feel free to send her a message on twitter @LizziePagewrite or on FB or leave a review on amazon.

The Girls of Victory Street by Pam Howes: Books On Tour Blog Tour

World War II serves as a backdrop for this novel, which is ultimately a study about resilience and how life carries on even as it seems to be falling apart. Heartfelt and honest, it was a quick and thoughtful read.

I liked how the author started the story before the beginning of the war. It allowed the reader to get a feel for the town and the characters. The underlying knowledge that things were going to change added tension.

Not that there was more needed. Bella and her family face quite a few challenges, war or no war. I did feel like one particular moment early on was glossed over rather quickly. I would have expected it to have more impact and taken up more space in the plot.

I think because it happened so early, I hadn’t had the chance to get a good understanding of the character. That resulted in the event almost feeling more contrived that it should have been.

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I really enjoyed Bella’s “professional” trajectory. I’m a big fan of the Andrews Sisters, so I imagined them quite often throughout the book. That brought back some happy memories of learning about their music (and the era) when I was younger.

While I love historical fiction, especially WWII, I also liked that the war served more as a backdrop rather than a main plot point. It was a reminder that people still had everyday worries with the war piled on top.

I thought the message of music as a relief from the personal strains of life was also a good one. The importance of finding something that makes you happy, regardless of what else is going on, should never be underestimated.

Oh, and just a nitpicky thing about the blurb: accurate events, not in the same order as the plot.

Author Bio
Pam is a retired interior designer, mum to three daughters, grandma to seven assorted grandchildren and roadie to her musician partner.

The inspiration for Pam’s first novel came from her teenage years, working in a record store, and hanging around with musicians who frequented the business. The first novel evolved into a series about a fictional band The Raiders. She is a fan of sixties music and it’s this love that compelled her to begin writing. 

Books On Tour (Review): The Ringmaster’s Daughter by Carly Schabowski

I started this book expecting one thing and I was pleasantly surprised with what I took away from it.

A lot of historical fiction set in World War II is set in the midst of the war. This book was unique because it starts before the Germans invade and occupy Paris. Right there I knew I was in for something different. The opening scenes of Michel trying to leave Paris were harrowing, and perfectly captured the panic and urgency of the situation.

I found Michel to be a complicated lead character. On the one hand, he seemed like a drifter and someone who had no particular attributes that made a reader want to root for him. I couldn’t quite get a grasp on who he really was. I think perhaps that was purposeful because it allowed him to fit in with the group he ended up with ultimately.

That group is the reason this book is good. The main thrust of the plot is the woebegone circus trying to find places to perform in the face of impending war. The juxtaposition of the horrors of war and the magic of a circus is clever and made the emotions around each much stronger. For each bit of news or encounter with the Nazis, I wanted the joy of the circus to hang on a little bit longer.

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Not that the circus doesn’t have its problems, but it’s up to the reader to find out what those are (I am definitely not going to give away plot points here). I will say that I suspected a major one and was not surprised by it. But I loved reading about the backgrounds of the various circus performers and felt that they really came alive from the pages.

I did think that there was a big but slow build up, as most of the book covers just over a year or so. But then the last 10% of the book covers years and we get the wrap-up of all of the characters briefly and almost as an afterthought, not to mention the end of Michel’s story is very abrupt. I felt like there had been so much invested in these characters’ stories that they deserved a better ending.

My only other complaint is that the title gives away a major plot point (well, two, kind of). I couldn’t get behind Michel’s worries as he joined the circus because of the title. That was a shame, because his concern did add to the tension of the plot. But it ultimately meant nothing to me because I knew the truth.

It was magically lyrical at times and was a nice departure from the usual historical fiction settings. I would recommend this book.  

Author Bio
Carly Schabowski worked as a journalist in both North Cyprus and Australia before returning to Oxford, where she studied for an MA and then a PhD in creative writing at Oxford Brookes University. Carly now teaches at Oxford Brookes University as an associate lecturer in Creative Writing for first and second-year English literature students. 

Twitter:  @carlyschab11

Books On Tour (Review): Into the Darkest Day by Kate Hewitt

Epic in every sense of the word, this book is one of the finest examples of historical fiction I have read. There is so much that I liked about it that I don’t know if I can cover it all, but I’ll try.

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One thing I noticed right from the start was the attention to detail in both the contemporary and historical storylines. It is always easiest to picture something familiar, so getting an image of Abby’s apple orchard and the farmhouse was simple to imagine. The author was so descriptive with the WWII scenes that I could picture them almost as completely.

The author hits the other senses with her descriptions as well. From the pigeon coops to events during the war, I felt like I could smell and hear what the characters were; that’s how good they were. It must be said that with that depth of detail also comes the emotion that goes along with it, and I felt gut-punched by a few of them (no spoilers).

I liked how the story started out being about one thing but then took off a different direction. This felt realistic and added to the intrigue of the WWII portion of the plot. I did think that a few of the contemporary plot points were extraneous, but I understand how the conflicts were needed to give more depth to Abby and Simon. I think it was because the WWII sections were so compelling, I just wanted to get back to them.

I also liked how some of the questions propelling the plot were not answered until close to the end. That was effective because 1) it kept me reading to find out the resolution, and 2) the author was able to take the story in different directions to get to the final point (instead of just reaching it directly).

A word must be said about the history. I have often mentioned that I like historical fiction because I usually learn something new. This time I learned several things via Matthew’s experiences (again, no spoilers). His arc led me to a fascinating documentary, and also served as a reminder that even after D-Day, there was still a lot of war left to fight.

The author has spun a masterful story. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you definitely should have this on your TBR list.

Author Bio

Kate Hewitt is the author of many romance and women’s fiction novels. A former New Yorker and now an American ex-pat, she lives in a small town on the Welsh border with her husband, five children, and their overly affectionate Golden Retriever. Whatever the genre, she enjoys telling stories that tackle real issues and touch people’s lives. 

Website: https://www.kate-hewitt.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateHewittAuthor/ 
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/katehewitt1  

Books On Tour (Review): In Darkness Look For Stars by Clara Benson

It’s been a while since I read a historical fiction novel, so I was pleased to see that this one was next up on my list. There was a lot to like about it, and I very much enjoyed it from start to finish.

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Very often, a book has a contemporary plot-line that then dovetails with the historical one in some fashion. One thing I liked about this story is that the “contemporary” line is only 7-8 years after the initial action, which works for two reasons. One is that the characters are primarily involved in both storylines (so obviously the times need to be close).

It also allows for the characters to be still carrying the weight of the war on their shoulders. There hasn’t been time to recover fully from the war itself, not to mention the aftermath. This closeness of storylines makes the switching back and forth more seamless than some others that have a more distant time difference.

I thought the characters were also well-crafted. Each one of them was flawed and trying to find their way in their new situations. Ambition, guilt, betrayal, family loyalty, and even love play significant parts in each of the character’s journeys. Harriet was the anchor for all of it, even as she struggled to find her footing in her new life.

Sebastien was the only character I had a difficult time pinning down. On the one hand, he was a temperamental teenager who had experienced significant personal tragedies. On the other, it seemed as if there was something off with him even as a young child. There is an allusion to a schoolmaster and his pupils that is briefly mentioned and then never addressed again. It makes me wonder if that was to be a reason for Sebastien’s temperament.

I did like Cecilia’s journey. She was the embodiment of how guilt could destroy a person from the inside. Even though she made her choices and had to live with them, I found her story to be satisfying and was glad the author gave her the arc that she did.  I especially liked the connections of music as colors; that is something that has always fascinated me, and I was interested in Cecilia and Emil’s descriptions.

Ultimately, this is an epic story spanning roughly a decade that showcases how ambition and desire can drive people to fatal decisions, and how families don’t always do best by each other. It was a great read, and I would highly recommend it.

Find her at clarabenson.com
Facebook at ClaraBensonBooks
Twitter:  @ClaraBooks

AUTHOR BIO

Clara Benson is the author of traditional English whodunits and other historical fiction. Over the years she’s lived in London, Milan and Florence, and can still speak a bit of Italian if pressed. Now she lives with her family in the north of England, where she spends her days writing and trying to ignore an ever-lengthening to-do list.

Books On Tour – The Tuscan Girl by Angela Petch

I thought that this would be a run of the mill WWII historical fiction novel, but it turned out to be one of the more unique stories I have read lately. Told from multiple points of view, the author does a fine job of creating an entire picture of the characters’ lives.

I can’t stress this part enough, because by having chapters that cover the same periods but from differing character’s experiences, the entire storyline is more holistic, which in turn makes it much more emotional. The reader gets to dig down into motivations and the effects of the war on personalities and general outlooks on life.

As in other books that cover the era, I thought that the parts set in WWII Tuscany were the most interesting, except for Massimo’s experiences in England. I have mentioned that I love learning something new from novels in this genre, and the Italian POWs in England certainly fit the bill. I especially liked Molly’s attitude about relationships. I thought that it echoed Florian’s in that they were both trying to find a little piece of sanity and normalcy in the craziness of war.

I liked Alba’s contemporary story, as well. Although I felt the catalyst for her returning to Italy was a tad much, I understand why the author chose to make it that emotional. I found her and Lucia to be very similar in many ways. I also liked that it was not a usual romantic, “everything will be okay in light of what she learned” story. The strength she found was admirable.

There were a few times that it seemed as if there was too much going on to keep straight. As a result, there were a few plot lines that felt more rushed than they should have been, with Quinto’s standing out the most. However, if one believes in karma and the universe’s tendency to achieve balance, he was vital to the overall arc of the other’s stories.

I’ll admit the end got me, and I read the last few chapters through tears. By that time, all of the plotlines and various stories converged, and there were satisfying conclusions. This not a story in a traditional linear sense, but the world created by the author is memorable and leaves an impact.

Author Bio

I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem. Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable. In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas. The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.  

https://angelapetchsblogsite.wordpress.com/
@Angela_Petch  

Books on Tour (Review): The Forgotten Girls by Lizzie Page

As far as epic WWII stories go, this one ranks right up there. A lot of ground is covered as the story winds its way through the waning days of WWII, London, and contemporary Spain. Sound disparate? Don’t worry, it does all link together.

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The 1944-ish London segments focus on Elaine, a typist who gets caught up in a whirlwind romance with the “it” photographer of the period, Robert Capa (a real-life person). The Spain segments deal with a family who may (or may not) be descendants of Elaine and Robert (or Pinky and Bobby as they refer to each other).

I thought that the WWII portions were exceptionally well-done. The author did a phenomenal job of portraying the hardship felt by many Londoners but also captured the excess and frivolity of the artistic/journalistic segment of society. This was a compelling juxtaposition of attitudes, even more so because Elaine straddled the line between the two.

I also liked how the author did the necessary research to weave real events from Capa’s life into the narrative – this added a dash of realism into the narrative and was very effective.

I found the Spain segments to be less exciting and read those faster to get back to the 1944 action.  I understand why the author used these segments, and the “mystery” of the family ties did link the two plot lines together. But I did not think that the Jenny/Paul problem, and Jenny’s contentious relationship with her mother, really did the story much justice.

Regardless, I did learn a lot about the clerical girls and found their jobs to be fascinating. I can only imagine how difficult their jobs would have been. In fact, I found myself thinking that the title referred more to them than to the two little girls on the cover.

That was definitely one thing that stood out about this book; the author took special care to highlight the unsung heroes and heroines of WWII London – those who had no choice but to “Keep Calm and Carry On” even in the face of the Blitz, Doodlebugs, and ongoing uncertainty.

And I thoroughly got caught up in Elaine and Robert Capa’s romance. I would recommend this book for that storyline alone.

Author Bio

Lizzie loves reading ALL the books and has always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to her to write historical fiction.

She lives with her family by the sea in South East England. And with her dog. She enjoys traveling and lived in Japan for several years. Lizzie has had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling – but being a writer is her absolute favourite.

She’d love to hear what you think of her books – feel free to send her a message on twitter @LizziePagewrite or on FB or leave a review on amazon.

Books On Tour (Review): Burning Island by Suzanne Goldring

I have been on somewhat of a historical fiction kick lately, and this book is the second in a week I have read that has a unique perspective on WWII.

I am a student of history and have long been interested in this period. As mentioned in other reviews, I have been to Dachau and studied the politics of the time. But in all of my studies, I never once gave thought to the full extent of the reach the Nazis had across Europe.

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That is just one reason that the new release from Suzanne Goldring had me fascinated from the very start. Set on the island of Corfu, Burning Island is two stories in one. The first takes place in contemporary times between 2006-2009, as Amber and James move from London to Corfu to start a new life together.

The second and more telling part of the story revolves around the removal of Jews on the island in 1944. This is an event that is seldom (if ever) relayed in history books and the part I found most interesting. It tracks a family who makes the ultimate sacrifice as Nazis take over the island and start rounding them up for shipment to the camps.

The author does a masterful job of weaving these two narratives together. I found myself getting wound up in both as the chapters switch points of view between James, Amber, and Rebekka, the oldest daughter of the Jewish family. The transitions were seamless; even over time and differing perspectives, the story flowed smoothly.

I thought that the chapters detailing Rebekka’s story were exceptionally well-done. The author conveyed the dismay and disbelief the townspeople had while also illuminating the sheer evil of the Nazi goals. Balancing the hope of the people in the face of the callousness of the Nazis is tricky, but the author succeeds. It still remains that the tragedy is overwhelming.

As always, I will not give away the plot points, as everything develops naturally, and I think it is essential for readers to discover the parallels on their own. I will say, however, that I did love how the person who embraced the history of the island and took the time to understand it is the person who got the most out of the life they chose. I know that’s cryptic, but honestly, you have to read it to understand it.

Once again, as with The Fortunate Ones by Catherine Hokin, this author also brings up an interesting perspective on the Nazi period. This time it’s how the younger generation of Germans felt when they realized what their parents and grandparents and been a part of (whether willingly or not); this point of view could have used some more elaboration, but I liked how the author addressed it.

Ultimately, the two stories do come around to each other in a satisfying way. I did think that the book ended rather abruptly. I think a reflection or two from a couple of characters would have been the emotional ending that the story warranted. But the events in the last third of the book do wrap up the plots (very satisfying) and leave the reader with many thoughts to ponder.

I loved My Name is Eva and was excited to read this second book from the author. I was not disappointed, and you won’t be either.

AUTHOR BIO

Following an eventful career as a public relations consultant, specialising in business and travel, Suzanne Goldring turned to writing the kind of novels she likes to read, about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Her debut novel MY NAME IS EVA draws on her experience of volunteering in a care home and was partially inspired by a cache of wartime love letters which were saved from the flames. Her second novel, BURNING ISLAND, is set in Corfu, a place of fun and beauty but also tremendous tragedy.
Suzanne writes in her thatched cottage in Hampshire and a seaside cottage in Cornwall. 

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